====== IWC Pilot's Watch Chronograph 3878 ======
The **Pilot's Watch Chronograph** (Ref. 3878) is a [[pilot's watch]] [[automatic chronograph]] produced by [[IWC]] from [[2012]] through [[2015]].

===== Overview =====
The legendary [[IWC Mark XI]] aviator's watch was a "cult watch". Produced from [[1948]] until the early eighties, the Mark XI was never available to the public. Sensing an opportunity in the 1990s, IWC introduced a civilian version in [[1993]], the [[IWC Pilot's Watch Mark XII|Mark XII]]. But this was not the first civilian "flieger" from IWC. In [[1988]] the company introduced the [[IWC Pilot's Watch Chronograph Mechaquartz|Pilot's Watch Chronograph Mechaquartz]] model, with a [[IWC Pilot's Watch Doppelchronograph|Doppelchronograph]] added in [[1992]]. The Mechaquartz was replaced by the [[IWC Pilot's Watch Chronograph 3706|Pilot's Watch Chronograph, Ref. 3706]] in [[1994]], then the [[IWC Pilot's Watch Chronograph 3717|Ref. 3717]] in [[2006]].

The [[2012]] launch of the [[IWC Pilot's Watch Mark XVII|Pilot's Watch Mark XVII]] spurred the release of two new Chronograph models. The [[IWC Pilot's Watch Chronograph 3777|Ref. 3777]] continued with the [[ETA]]-based [[IWC 79320|Cal. 79320]] while this **Ref. 3878** introduced a new [[in-house]] [[flyback]] movement, [[IWC 89365|Cal. 89365]]. Both chronograph models use.a 43 mm case, but the Ref. 3878 is obviously different with its two-register (6 and 12) dial layout.

Most examples of Ref. 3878 are in the [[IWC Pilot's Watch Spitfire|Spitfire]] sub-model line, with applied numerals, a raised [[chapter ring]] and [[markers]], and special hands. The Spitfire models also feature the "triple date" window at 3 00 like the [[IWC Pilot's Watch Mark XVII|Pilot's Watch Mark XVII]]. This would prove a controversial addition across the [[IWC Pilot's Watch]] line, and many prefer the "Antoine De Saint Exupery" models which have no date at all.

The new movement is part of IWC's [[IWC 89000|Cal. 89000 family]] with a [[flyback]] function, [[Pellaton winding]], and 68 hours of power reserve. This advanced movement added significantly to the cost of these models, however, and many buyers turned to the contemporary [[IWC Pilot's Watch Chronograph 3777|Ref. 3777]] instead. Indeed, the Ref. 3878 was not continued after [[2015]]. It is only the launch of the [[IWC Pilot's Watch Chronograph Spitfire|Pilot's Watch Chronograph Spitfire]] in [[2019]] that there is a direct replacement for this model.


<WRAP ud ud_mod>

**References:**
  * IW3878-01 (2012-2015) [[Stainless steel]] case, grey dial with applied white markings, "triple date", brown crocodile strap
  * IW3878-02 (2012-2015) [[Stainless steel]] case, grey dial with applied white markings, "triple date", brown crocodile strap
  * IW3878-03 (2012-2015) [[Rose gold]] case, grey dial with applied white markings, "triple date", brown crocodile strap
  * IW3878-04 (2012-2015) [[Stainless steel]] case, grey dial with applied white markings, "triple date", steel bracelet
  * IW3878-05 "Antoine de Saint Exupery" (2012-2015) [[Rose gold]] case, brown dial with applied white markings, no date, brown leather strap, limited edition of 500 pieces
  * IW3878-06 "Antoine de Saint Exupery" (2012-2015) [[Stainless steel]] case, brown dial with applied white markings, no date, brown leather strap
  * IW3878-08 "Collector's Watch" (2017) [[Stainless steel]] case, black dial with applied beige markings, date only, brown leather strap, limited edition of 250 pieces
  * IW3878-09 "JU-Air" (2014) [[Stainless steel]] case, silver dial with applied white markings, "triple date" only, black crocodile leather strap, limited edition of 500 pieces
  * IW3878-10 "Tribeca Film Festival" (2014) [[Stainless steel]] case, grey dial with applied white markings and red subdials, "triple date" only, black crocodile leather strap, limited edition of 100 pieces
  * IW3878-11 "Tribeca Film Festival" (2014) [[Rose gold]] case, grey dial with applied white markings and red subdials, "triple date" only, black crocodile leather strap, unique piece
  * IW3878-12 "London Film Festival" (2016) [[Stainless steel]] case, silver dial with applied blue markings, date only, blue crocodile leather strap, limited edition of 60 pieces

**Movement: **
  * [[Automatic chronograph]] [[flyback]] calibre [[IWC 89365|Cal. 89365]] or [[IWC 89361|Cal. 89361]]

**Case: **
  * [[Stainless steel]] or [[ceramic]]
  * Ø 43 mm
  * H 15.5 mm
  * Screw-down caseback in [[stainless steel]]

**Dial:**
  * [[Luminous]] indexes (triangle at 12 o'clock)
  * Arabic numerals
  * Steel hours and minutes hand, coated with [[luminous color]]
  * Painted seconds hands

**Functions: **
  * Hours, minutes
  * [[Chronograph seconds]] [[flyback]] hand
  * [[Day]] and [[date]] window at 3 00
  * [[Small seconds]] at 6 00
  * [[Chronograph minutes|Chronograph 30 minute counter]] at 12 00

**Bracelet: **
  * Metal bracelet or leather strap

**Production: **
  * Production [[2012]] - [[2015]]
  * Predecessor [[IWC Pilot's Watch Chronograph 3717]]
  * Successor [[IWC Pilot's Watch Chronograph Spitfire]]
</WRAP>
===== See Also =====
  * [[IWC Pilot's Watch]]
  * [[IWC Pilot's Watch Chronograph]]
  * [[IWC Pilot's Watch Spitfire]]


{{tag>Watch_models IWC_Pilot's_Watch_models IWC_Pilot's_Watch_Chronograph_models}}